Section 8
"best" means first. The best robe here signifies Christ the Son as the God-satisfying right eousness to cover the penitent sinner (Jer. 23:6; 1 Cor. 1:30; Phil. 3:9; see Isa. 61:10; Zech. 3:4). Hence, putting the best robe on the returned prodigal signifies justification in Christ. As those who have Christ as the best robe, we are justi fied by God. This best robe, which is the first robe, replaced the rags (Isa. 64:6) of the returned prodigal.
According to Luke 15:22, the father also told the slaves to put a ring on his son's hand and san dals on his feet. This ring signifies the sealing Spirit as the God-given seal upon the accepted believer (Eph. 1:13; see Gen. 24:47; 41:42). This ring is a sign that a repentant sinner receives something divine, the very Spirit of God Him self. The ring signifying the sealing Spirit indi cates that the returned prodigal belongs to the Father. It also indicates that whatever the Father has as an inheritance belongs to the returned son. Sandals separate one's feet from the dirt of the earth and strengthen him for walking. The sandals put on the son's feet signify that God's salvation separates us from the world and unto Him so that we may then take His way. Both ring and sandals were signs of a free man. The